Inter just can’t seem to get all cylinders firing at the moment, but now hope to fix that against visiting Parma. Match on Saturday at 18:00 CET.

Despite Inter not managing to get their first win Europe midweek in Ukraine, the Nerazzurri come back to Milan with a cart-full of silver linings; second consecutive clean sheet, a strong attacking performance and a fully in-form Achraf Hakimi on the right flank.

Antonio Conte needs to rack up another win here, picking up the full three points against visiting minnows Parma. With the season starting off erratically for almost all contenders, any win is particular valuable given that challengers are likely to continue leaking points.

Expect Conte to bring back Christian Eriken in the trequartista role, with Achraf Hakimi back in the side, the Dane can be afforded the spaces and passing oppurtunities he so relishes to really impose his style on the match. It seems that Ashley Young will start ahead of Ivan Perisic on the left flank, giving the team an overall sense of balance.

Fabio Liverani’s Parma have had a miserable start to their league season, racking up just one win and letting in eleven goals in five matches. If Inter are to make the most of the match, they will need to ruthlessly attack the visitors and avoid the in-front-of-goal profligacy of the matches against Monchengladbach and Shakhtar.

Inter must attack, but cannot fall victim to Gervinho’s lighting counter attacks. Balance remains the keyword of the season so far.

Team News

It appears that the worst of black and blue COVID-19 nightmare is finally behind us, with Milan Skrinniar back in Milano (albeit not yet ready for selection) making up for the last of the infected.

Man of glass Stefano Sensi is out once again with another elusive muscular issue along with the perpetually injured Matias Vecino. Most worryingly are the reports that Romelu Lukaku will miss the match due to some muscular fatigue.

Probable line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic (C); Bastoni, De Vrij, D’Ambrosio; Young, Vidal, Eriksen, Barella, Hakimi; Lautaro, Pinamonti.

Stats

Last Season: Inter 2 – 2 Parma.

Last 10 Head to Head: It’s surprisingly tight in the head to head record between the two teams, Inter have four wins to Parma’s three. Last season’s visit to the San Siro resulted in that frustrating last minute draw through the Federico DiMarco goal.

Keep an Eye on

Lautaro Martinez: The second half the of the Lu-La duo hasn’t been living through his best moment as of late. Weak link up play, missed clear chances, visible frustration on substitutions etc have been emblematic of the Argentine’s rough patch of form.

With Lukaku probably missing the match, it is now high time for the young striker to put this phase behind him and get back on the scoresheet with a strong performance.

Officials

Referee: Luca Pairetto.

Assistants: Passeri and Liberti.

Fourth Official: Piccinini.

VAR: Maresca and Ranghetti.

Prediction & Concluding Remarks

Prediction & scorers: Inter 3 – 0 Parma. Lautaro to break his duck then Sanchez and Eriksen to score.

Concluding remarks: Inter need a strong and commanding performance here. The matches still keep on coming thick and fast and the Nerazzurri need to make the most of encounters against lesser opposition to maximize gains with the least effort exerted.